Method and device for a activating passenger protection device

ABSTRACT

A method and a device for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices, in particular in a vehicle, are described. In the method, an approach speed to a collision object is determined within a predefined proximity range of the vehicle surroundings and, if the approach speed is above a threshold value, an anticipated impact time with the collision object is determined. A time range is determined on the basis of the anticipated impact time, a signal quality of at least one proximity sensor, driving dynamics and the geometry of a collision object being taken into account in this time range. The activation of the assigned vehicle-occupant protection devices takes place in this time range after a plausibility-confirmation check.

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices according to the features of the preamble of Method claim 1 and the features of Device claim 6.

[0002] In methods for detecting impacts, acceleration signals of an acceleration sensor are usually evaluated and, as a function thereof, a decision is made as to whether a safety-critical hazardous situation is present and the airbag and/or other vehicle-occupant protection devices should be triggered.

[0003] For example, the German laid-open application DE 197 29 960 discloses a method for detecting impacts, in particular for motor vehicles, for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices in which an acceleration signal of an acceleration sensor is measured. The acceleration signal is then compared directly, or a signal derived therefrom, for example the integrated acceleration signal, is compared, with a triggering threshold which can be set.

[0004] For this method, at least one sensor which is referred to as a pre-crash sensor is provided which registers the change in the relative speed and/or the relative distance from collision objects within a proximity range of the vehicle surroundings. If the pre-crash sensor detects a safety-critical state such as an imminent impact, the triggering threshold for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices is reduced.

[0005] Such a pre-crash sensor is even preferably assigned to each side of the vehicle and the triggering threshold of the side airbag located on the respective side is reduced, or not reduced, as a function of the signals determined by this sensor.

[0006] If, with this method, a safety-critical state is detected within a proximity range of the pre-crash sensor by comparison with corresponding threshold values, the triggering threshold for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices is reduced. However, the triggering does not take place until after the acceleration signal or the signal derived therefrom has exceeded this corresponding triggering threshold.

[0007] By virtue of the fact that with this method the triggering threshold is reduced only as a function of the relative speed and/or the relative distance from collision objects, influences such as, for example, the signal quality of a proximity sensor or else the size of a collision object cannot be taken into account in the level of the triggering threshold. For example, in the case of large collision objects it is not always possible to ensure that the sensor has also registered the smallest possible distance between the sensor and vehicle. For this reason, in such a case the approaching collision object may impact with the vehicle somewhat earlier than was originally calculated.

[0008] The German laid-open application DE 195 46 715 discloses a sensor system for triggering a side airbag having at least one sensor which is integrated in each door in the bodywork and which generates a control signal for the triggering electronics of the airbag. In this sensor system, at least two sensors which are arranged spaced apart one next to the other are integrated in the door in the bodywork and each have a transmitter stage and receiver stage with which a microwave signal whose antenna lobe has a small half-value width and is perpendicular to the surface of the door is emitted. The microwave signals reflected at an approaching collision object are fed to an evaluation unit for generating an enable pulse.

[0009] However, with such an airbag sensor system it has been found that the sensor devices are already actuated directly by the pre-crash sensors, which drastically increases the risk of incorrect triggerings, for example in the case of near misses. Such incorrect triggerings are, in particular, very disadvantageous in particular because, under certain circumstances, the ability of the driver to react, particularly in the case of near misses, is very important and particularly his ability is greatly impeded by safety devices which trigger or have triggered.

[0010] A method and a device for controlling a triggerable vehicle-occupant restraint device is known from EP 0 728 624 A3. In this method, the crash acceleration is determined and a crash value which depends on the sensed crash acceleration is determined. This determined crash value is compared with a threshold value. The threshold value is varied as a function of at least one target range, a target approach speed and an angle of incidence, and a triggering signal is provided if the crash value determined is greater than the threshold value.

[0011] However, it has proven disadvantageous here that the reduction of the triggering threshold for acceleration sensors in the case of an imminent impact can lead to excessively early triggering of the vehicle-occupant restraint device if the reduced acceleration triggering threshold is already exceeded in the time period before the impact. This can take place, for example, if unevenesses in the ground or a kerb stone is travelled over directly before the actual obstacle sensed by the proximity sensor.

[0012] An accident involving a side impact proves particularly critical in practice if the vehicle skids and moves in the transverse direction. In particular, with side impact sensors with radar or infrared there may be repeated incorrect alarm triggerings when the vehicle travels closely past collision objects such as parked vehicles or oncoming traffic, as a result of which the triggering threshold of the acceleration sensors in the vehicle is unnecessarily reduced. This increases the risk of incorrect triggering of airbags, for example.

[0013] As the radar sensor described in this publication EP 0 728 624 A3 must also continuously calculate the approach speed of possible collision objects, the distance from them, the angle in respect of them etc., a high degree of expenditure on processing signals and thus a high level of computing power are necessary. In order to reliably detect a side impact, in addition, at least two such sensors are required per side in each case, which gives rise to relatively high costs.

[0014] Taking this as a basis, the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a device for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices with which it is possible to use simple devices to provide triggering of a vehicle-occupant protection device in a way which is precisely adapted to the respective hazardous situation.

[0015] The object is achieved with a method of the type specified at the beginning by means of the features of Patent claim 1, and with a device of the type specified at the beginning by means of the features of Patent claim 6.

[0016] With a method according to the present invention it becomes possible to use simple sensors to generate what is referred to as a time window, i.e. a time range for a triggering request, in which the plausibility of a triggering request is confirmed after a threshold value is exceeded, after which, if appropriate, activation of the vehicle-occupant protection device or devices takes place.

[0017] With such a method according to the invention, very exact and precise triggering or activation of the vehicle-occupant protection devices can take place, the driving dynamics, geometry of the collision object and the signal quality of the respective proximity sensor which is used also being taken into account.

[0018] It is also the case that the variables to be determined do not need to be measured continuously, for example over a certain range, but rather it is perfectly sufficient for a single measurement to be started at a definable distance from an object.

[0019] With a device according to the invention, such a method can be carried out using simple proximity sensors. As a result of the fact that the approach speed to a collision object, and the distance from it and the angle with respect to it do not need to be calculated continuously, there is also no need for a high degree of expenditure on signal processing and thus no high computing power is necessary so that the device according to the invention can be implemented with simple and cost-effective means.

[0020] Further advantages and advantageous developments of the present invention emerge from the patent claims and the exemplary embodiment described with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram which illustrates a method according to the invention; and

[0022]FIG. 2 shows a schematic detail of a side structure of a motor vehicle with a device according to the invention.

[0023] The method and the device which is provided for its execution in a motor vehicle 9 will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0024] Basically, for a method according to the present invention one or more proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B are used which are capable of determining the direction of movement of a collision object, the speed v of the collision object and the distance d of the collision object from the vehicle in question. This means that an approach speed v₀ is determined in terms of magnitude and direction, and the instantaneous distance d from the object is determined.

[0025] It is perfectly sufficient here if the distance d is not measured continuously but rather possibly only to start a single measurement at a definable distance, for example approximately 1 m when there is a risk of a side impact. A cost-effective radar sensor system which can be used for this purpose is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,536.

[0026] The sensor system is composed here, for example, of the proximity sensors 1A and 1B on one side of the vehicle 9 and of the proximity sensors 2A and 2B on the other side of the vehicle. Furthermore, an acceleration sensor 4, 5 is provided on each side of the vehicle. If the proximity sensors 1A, 1B and/or 2A, 2B then detect a possible collision object within the predefined proximity range of the vehicle, a theoretical time Ta at which the impact of the vehicle 9 with the collision object would theoretically have to take place can be calculated in a first step from the measurement variables provided by such a sensor system if the approach speed v₀ which is determined is above a defined value v_(min), which is 25 km/h for example.

[0027] However, as the measured values of the sensor system are subject to a certain variation and other driving dynamic variables and vehicle geometry variables can also influence the time up to the impact, in a second step the theoretical impact time Ta is expanded to form a time window or time range around the time Ta, specifically the time range between a starting time T1 and an end time T2.

[0028] The driving dynamic variables can be obtained here by the proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, while vehicle geometry variable values and a signal quality or variation S are predefined values, that is to say values which are inherent in the sensor.

[0029] The determination of the theoretical impact time Ta is carried out by the computer unit 3 from the orthogonal components of the approach speed v₀, determined by the proximity sensor or sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, at a predefined distance d and from the distance d according to the function:

Ta=d/v ₀

[0030] The start T1 of the time window is then obtained from Ta and a correction factor K1 according to the function:

T1=K1×Ta

[0031] K1 here is a function of the signal quality S of one or more of the proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B. When there is a very high signal quality S, K1 is only slightly smaller than 1, and when there is a very low signal quality S, K1 is however typically in the range from 0.7 to 0.9.

[0032] If the proximity sensor 1A, 1B, 2A or 2B can differentiate between large and small collision objects, for example vehicles and posts, the value K1 is also somewhat reduced in the case of large collision objects, as in the case of large collision objects it is not always possible to ensure that the sensor has also sensed the smallest possible distance between the sensor and the collision object, and in such a case the approaching collision object possibly impacts somewhat earlier.

[0033] The end of the time window T2 is obtained from the theoretical impact time Ta and a correction factor K2 according to the relation:

T2=K2×Ta

[0034] K2 is firstly also obtained here from the signal quality S of the proximity sensor or sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B. When there is a very high signal quality S, K2 is in turn only slightly larger than 1. On the other hand, when there is a low signal quality S, the value K2 is typically in the range between 1.05 and 1.1.

[0035] As, in the case of a collision with a second vehicle, the oncoming vehicle can, under certain circumstances, still brake, its approach speed still changes in the time between the sensing at the distance d by the proximity sensor and the impact. As the proximity sensor 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B can, however, not signal the deceleration, a further correction factor K3, which prolongs the time window to such an extent that the impact also lies within the time window even when there is a maximum deceleration, is introduced. The end T2 of the time window is therefore a product according to the function:

T2=K2×K3×Ta,

[0036] K3 therefore being a function of the measured distance d and the approach speed v₀.

[0037] By way of example it will be stated here that at a distance d=1 m and an approach speed v₀=25 km/h the correction factor K3 is 1.10, while at the distance d=1 m and an approach speed v₀=72 km/h the correction factor K3 is 1.01.

[0038] A time window from T1 to T2 for a triggering request of vehicle-occupant protection devices, for example a front airbag 10 or a side airbag 11, is therefore generated by means of signals of the proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B. If the signal of the acceleration sensor 4 or 5 in the computer unit 3 exceeds a fixed low threshold value which confirms the plausibility of the triggering request within this time window T1, T2, corresponding vehicle-occupant protection systems 10, 11 are activated.

[0039] Instead of proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B it is also generally possible to use one or more internal pressure sensors in a door 7, which generate a time window for a triggering request of the vehicle-occupant protection systems 10, 11.

[0040] During the time window, i.e. between the starting time T1 and the end time T2, a triggering request is issued by the proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B to the computer unit 3, which is part of an airbag controller 8 in the present case. If a plausibility-confirmation signal is also received within this time window T1, T2 at the computer unit 3 or the airbag controller 8 from one of the lateral acceleration sensors 4, 5 located in the vehicle 9 or from a further acceleration sensor 6 in the airbag controller 8 or from other auxiliary sensors, arranged for example in a front region of the vehicle 9, the corresponding vehicle-occupant protection systems 10, 11 of the vehicle 9 is therefore activated immediately after positive plausibility confirmation checking.

[0041] The plausibility-confirmation signal according to the described preferred embodiment is an acceleration signal which is above a fixed, very low acceleration threshold, or a signal which is equivalent thereto or is derived therefrom, and which corresponds in terms of its sign to the impact direction determined by the proximity sensors 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, i.e. is in fact plausible.

[0042] For example, the following two tables illustrate a reduction in speed as a result of braking. A relative deceleration, that is to say by both the vehicle 9 itself and the collision object, of 1 g has been assumed here.

[0043] So that a time window for the triggering request of a vehicle-occupant protection device 10, 11 can be conceived according to the invention, at least two proximity sensors 1A, 1B should be provided as, depending on the situation, the measured speed corresponds only to the lateral speed. TABLE 1 Timing dv error over during t for 1 m at v on calculation v v 1 m 1 g dv dv impact t_impact [km/h] [m/s] [s] [m/s] [km/h] [%] [km/h] [%] 17 4.7 0.32 3.21 12 68 5 34 18 5.0 0.28 2.76 10 55 8 28 20 5.6 0.23 2.26 8 41 12 20 25 6.9 0.16 1.63 6 23 19 12 27 7.5 0.15 1.48 5 20 22 10 30 8.3 0.13 1.30 5 16 25 8 36 10.0 0.11 1.06 4 11 32 5 40 11.1 0.09 0.94 3 8 37 4 72 20.0 0.05 0.51 2 3 70 1 100 27.8 0.04 0.36 1 1 99 1

[0044] TABLE 2 Timing dv error over during t for 1 m at v on calculation v v 1.4 m 1 g dv dv impact t_impact [km/h] [m/s] [s] [m/s] [km/h] [%] [km/h] [%] 20 5.6 0.39 3.86 14 70 6 35 25 6.9 0.24 2.45 9 35 16 18 30 8.3 0.19 1.90 7 23 23 11 36 10.0 0.15 1.51 5 15 31 8 40 11.1 0.13 1.34 5 12 35 6 72 20.0 0.07 0.71 3 4 69 2 100 27.8 0.05 0.51 2 2 98 1

[0045] In the timing window scheme illustrated in the tables for a triggering request, a side impact sensor or proximity sensor is used with a predefined proximity range (confirmation distance) of 1 m and approximately radial approach.

[0046] As is apparent from the tables, the timing error becomes greater the lower the speed v. For this reason, errors should only be taken into account at speeds above approximately 25 km/h as at lower speeds, and at best, what is referred to as a “no-fire” range occurs, that is to say no triggering of the assigned vehicle-occupant protection devices is to take place below a minimum speed.

[0047] A time supplement owing to braking should, as is apparent from the tables, be set at approximately 10% as all the collisions which occur later owing to the braking are no longer hazardous because sufficient deceleration has taken place. 

1. Method for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices, in particular in a motor vehicle, in which an approach speed to a collision object is determined within a predefined proximity range of the vehicle surroundings, and if the approach speed is above a threshold value an anticipated impact time with the collision object is determined, characterized in that a time range (T1, T2) is determined on the basis of the anticipated impact time (Ta), a signal quality (S) of at least one proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B), driving dynamics and the geometry of a collision object being taken into account in this time range (T1, T2), and in that the activation of the assigned vehicle-occupant protection devices (10, 11) takes place in this time range (T1, T2) after a plausibility-confirmation check.
 2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a lower time value of the time range (T1, T2) takes into account the signal quality (S) of the proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) and the geometry of the collision object.
 3. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an upper time value of the time range (T1, T2) takes into account the signal quality (S) of the proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) and the driving dynamics.
 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, for plausibility-confirmation checking, an acceleration signal or a signal which is equivalent thereto is checked to determine whether it is above a predefined threshold and whether it corresponds in terms of its sign to the impact direction determined by the at least one proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B).
 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the acceleration signal is determined by means of at least one acceleration sensor (4, 5).
 6. Device for activating vehicle-occupant protection devices (10, 11), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5, having at least one proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) for determining an approach speed (v₀) to a collision object within a predefined proximity (d) of the vehicle surroundings, and having a computer unit (3) for determining an anticipated impact time (Ta) if the approach speed (v₀) is above a threshold value, the computer unit (3) determining a time range (T1, T2) on the basis of the anticipated impact time (Ta) as a function of the signal quality (S) of the at least one proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B), driving dynamics and the geometry of the collision object, and activating an assigned vehicle-occupant protection device (10, 11) in this time range (T1, T2) after a plausibility-confirmation check.
 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one proximity sensor (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) is provided by one or more internal pressure sensors in a vehicle door (7).
 8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that in each case two proximity sensors (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) and an acceleration sensor (4, 5) are provided in a front region and in a side region of a vehicle (9) and in addition a further acceleration sensor (6) is provided in an airbag controller (8). 